CAN’T USE GROUPME

At the beginning of this school year, the Blue Valley School District made changes to the way staff and students can communicate to ensure safety for all parties. These changes prohibit apps like iMessage and GroupMe for school-related activities.

As a response to this, many clubs and organizations have started using BAND, a district approved application. This app archives every message to ensure the safety of students and allows every communication to be “monitored, reviewed, and retained” as is necessary according to Blue Valley Policy 6343.

NEW AVID TEACHER

This year, the AVID Program has a new teacher, Eric Regier, who thinks his experience of teaching in different states and schools will bring a unique perspective to the program.

Being a math teacher and instructing students on college preparedness requires different approaches.

“You’re intentionally trying to teach kids study strategies and get them ready for college,” he said. “You’re facilitating student- and academic-growth versus teaching them math content.”

Regier’s interest in the program started early.

“I was an AVID tutor as a senior in high school — I really enjoyed AVID after that,” he said. “I enjoy being able to help kids grow and see their full potential.”

LUNCH CHANGES

During Covid to give the custodians time to clean and sanitize the tables, BV adapted to having three lunch periods. This year, BV reverted to the four lunches.

“Three lunches created a lot of crowding,” Assistant Principal and Activities Director Mollie McNally said. “Dividing it into four, which is what we had before, created more space for students.”

McNally also considered the administrative responsibilities, allowing adults to manage a smaller group of students instead of the larger crowd there was prior.

“It’s better to be able to see all of the students than to have people in the hallways and spread out,” she said.